Hydraulic rams arranged in series



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

L SGHUTTE. 7 HYDRAULIC RAMS ARRANGED IN SERIES. No. 294,085.

Patented Feb. 26, 1884.

(No Model.) 7 a Sheets-Sheet 2.

L. SOHUTTE.

'HYDRAULIG RAMS ARRANGED IN SERIES.

'No. 294,085. Patented Feb. 26, 1884.

T lfmaea; O O o ffljwafafl- N. PETERS. PlmtmLitMgmphnn nnnnnn nnnnn c.

(No Model.) 7 3 SheetsSheet s.

' L. SGHUTTE.

HYDRAULIG RAMS ARRANGED IN SERIES. No. 294,085. Patented Feb. 26, 1884.

0 a M Tum Pump Wiinegsea r Inrenioz:

oigmn @c %42 dim m7 NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

' LoUIs SOHUTTE, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

HYDRAULIC RAMS ARRANGED IN SERIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.294,085,dated February26, 1884;.

Application filed January 24,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may cancer/1,.-

Be it known that I, LoUIs Sonurrn, of.

The aim of my invention is to effect the si 'multaneous operation of anumber of hydraulic rams or plungers; to maintain the same when inaction at the same or at different levels, as circun lstances mayrequire; to secure the positive control of their movements in re- 'ofthe same.

lation to one another, and to compensate automatically for leakages"which may occur in such manner as to maintain the required action ofthe individual rams.

To this end the invention consists in the combinatiomwith said rams, ofsecondary rams or cylinders, accumulators, andother appliances anddevices, constructed and combined as hereinafter more fully explained.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention as embodied in thatform which will be most generally found of service; but, 'as willhereinalter appear,the details of the apparatus may be modified invarious respects and the invention embodied in different forms withoutdeparting from. the limits of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a sectionalelevation of a system wherein four lifting rams or pistons are employed.Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating in top plan the relative positions ofthe various parts. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line yy, Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the devices illustratedin the preceding figure. Fig. 5 is an end view Fig. 6 illustrates amodified form of the apparatus with pumps substituted in place of theaccumulators as sources of high and 10W pressure fluid-supply.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, A represents a platform carrying aload, B, to besustained or elevated.

O, D, E, and F represent four hydraulic rams, of essentially ordinaryconstruction, located beneath the respective corners of the platform,each. ram embracing a cylinder and a piston entering the same through astuffing box at the end. The four rams are independent of each other,and are connected, respectively, by independent pipes with correspondingram's, G, D, E, and F, of an apparatus which I,ter1n,for convenience ofdescription,the transmitter. The rams of thistransmitter consist each ofa cylinder and a piston or plunger sliding therein, the four pistonsbeing connected, as shown, rigidly to a common plate, by which they arecaused to rise and fall in unison. This plate G bears at the center acylinder, H, closed at its lower end, and receiving at its upper end atubular piston, H, fixed rigidly in position, and connected by afeed-pipe, a,'witl1 a force-pump, or preferably with anaccumulatingcylinder, K, between said pipe and the force pump or engineI. Fluid, being passed through the pipe a, causes the descent of thehead G and its four pistons, thereby driving the fluid from therespective rams of the transmitter through the intermediate pipes to thecorresponding rams, O, D, E, and F, which elevate the load. It will beperceived that under this arrangement motion is communicated to each ofthe liftingrams independently, and that as the rams of the transmitterdescend the lifting-rams ascend, and vice versa. The position of eachtransmitter-ram is necessarily accompanied by a corresponding positionof the lifting-ranr quired they will be made of different sizes inrelation to the transmitter-rams with which they are respectivelyconnected.

, In order to insure the simultaneous and equal movement of the pistonsof the transmitter-rams G. D, 820., the top plate, G, may be arranged towork upon guides of any suitable character, so as to maintain the propermovement of the pistons, notwithstanding variations which may occur inthe pressure beneath them.

While it is preferred to operate the trans mitter-rams by hydraulicpressure, as illustrated, they may be operated by means of screws,gears, steam-cylinders, or other suitable motive apparatus, theinvention in this regard not being restricted to the constructionpresented.

If a-sin1ultaneous and zoo I between the transmitter and the pump orother source of fiuid-supply, so that by turn ing said valve theoperating-fluid may be directed into the transmitter or permitted to escipe therefrom, according as it is desired to raise or lower theelevator-ram. XVhen the fluid is directed into the transmitter, its ramswill descend and the elevator-rams will ascend in the manner beforeexplained; but on reversing the valve and permitting the fluid to escapefrom the transmitter the elevator-rams will descend and thetransmitter-rams will be elevated, owing to the preponderance of weightupon the former.

In the foregoing description I have described the action which occurs,supposing that no leakage takes place in either of the rams andconnections. In the event, however, of a leakage occurring in either ofthe pair of rams, the uniformity of level of the lifting-rams will bedestroyed and the desired object defeated. To provide for thiscontingency, means must be provided to replace the iiquidlost byleakage. This is effected in the following manner: Between each ram ofthe transmitter and the lifting-ram with which it is in connection Iplace a check-valve opening toward the lifting-ra1ns, so that when thesevalves close each circuit will be independently closed, provided nooutside influenceis brought to bear. These cheek-valves are not placeddirectly in the connecting-pipes between the rams, but are placed,preferably, in a single body, M, towhich branch pipes are extended, onefrom each of the conducting-pipes ('6. These branch pipes are isolated,and each terminates in a small independent chamber above thecorresponding checlevalves. These four check-valves open from a commonpassage or chamber, N, in the lower part of the body M, this passagecommunicating by separate pipes on one side with the accumulatorOthr'ougha valve, 0', and on the other side with an accumulator, P,through avalve, 1). These accumulators eonsist each of a cylindercontaining a piston loaded with a suitable weight, as represented. Thevalves 0 and p are connected with the transmitter by rods and levers, asshown, or by other suitable devices, arranged in such man ner that asthe transmitter approaches its up ward limit-of movement the valve 1) isopened, and that as the transmitter completes its downward movement thevalve 0 is opened, thereby admitting the fluid from the accumulators Oand P, respectively, into the chamber N below the check-valves Thedetails of these connections are as follows: The lever a of valve 0 ispivoted to the valve at its end, and has its fulcrum at an intermediatepoint in its length, so that when its free end is depressed the valvewill be opened. A rod, 1/, rising from the free end of the lever passesthrough an ear or guide on the aecummulator V, and carries at its lowerend a collar, 0', upon which the guide on the accumulator acts todepress the latter and upon the valve 0. The lever d of valve 1) has itsfulcrum at an intermediate point in its length, and has one end pivotedto the valve, so that the opening of the valve is effected by liftingthe free end of the lever. This free end carries a rod, 6, passingupward through a guide or eye on the accumulator, and provided withashoulder at its upper en (1, so that the elevation of the accu mnlatorwill serve to lift the rod and lever d, thereby opening the valve 1).Except when opened by the action of the transmitter the valves 0 and 1)remain closed, preventing communication between the accumulators O and Pan d the chamber N. The accumulator O is loaded to a pressure greaterthan that required to operate the lifting-rams and the load thereon, butless than that required to raise the transmitter when the latter issubjected to the pressure of the operating-fluid. The accumulator P isloaded to a pressure greater than that required to raise thetransmitter-rams while they are relieved from the pressure oftheoperatingfiuid, but too low to raise the platform and load B.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The operating-fluiddelivered under suitable pressure into the working-cylinder H of thetransmitter, the pistons O, D, &c., of the latter will be forced down,displacing the fluid thereunder and forcing the same beneath thelifting-rams C D, &c., compelling them to rise until they reach theirlimit of upward move.- ment, or until the motion of the transmitter isstopped. Before the transmitter reaches its downward limit of motion itcauses the valve 0 to open, thereby establishing communication betweenthe accumulator O and the chamber N ,whereupon the fluid will pass fromsaid ac cumnlator O throughthe passage N and the communicating-pipebeneath such of the lifting-rams, if any, as have not reached theirproper level. The elevation of these rams should be limited by means ofrods applied thereto, as shown in the drawings, or other suitable stopdevices. 7

It will be seen that when the load is elevated to its highest point, andtheltransmitterpistons depressed to their lowest point, and a fullpressure of the accumulator 0 turned on the eommunicating-pipes, thelevel of all the lifting pistons is necessarily maintained and leakagecompensated for. If, now, the pressure be removed from the workingcylinder of the transmitter, the transmitter will rise, causing thevalve 0 to close and allowing the platform and lead 13 to descend untilthey reach the end of their stroke. Before this point is reached,however, the transmitter causes-the valve 12 to open communicationbetween the accumulator P and chamber N, thereby elevating saidtransmittter should it not have reached the limit of its movementbefore.

It will be observed that in this manner,

provide means of relief should the same have occurred, I apply mechanismto lift the checkvalves positively in such manner that while either ofthe valves 0 or p is opened all the check-valves are open and preventedfrom closing, so that a free flow of theliquid may be had through thesystem in either direction. A simple means of effecting this operationof the check-valves is by the employment of a bar, Q,as shown in Fig. 3,seated at its ends in the valves 0 and p, and acting beneath thespindles of the check-valves. Upon opening either of the valves 0 and pthe corresponding end of the arm Q is elevated and caused to open theentire series of checlcvalves. The accumulators O and P are suppliedwith fluid through pipes X, extending therefrom to the pump or reservoiror other primary source of supply. These pipes will be closed,respectively, by valves R and S, connected each by a rod or equivalentdevice with the piston or equivalent moving part in such manner thatwhen the accumulator is entirely filled the valve will close thesupply-pipe automatically. Fig. 1 represents a simple device for thispurpose, the valve being provided with an operating'lever, 8, connectedto a rod, t, the upper end of which has a collar or enlargement to beacted upon and lifted by an car, a, or other guide on the platform orpiston of the apparatus. Various forms of automatically-operated valveswhich may be substituted for those shown are in common use and familiarto those skilled to the art.

In the arrangement represented in the drawings the main or primaryaccumulator K, located between the pump or other source of supply andthe transmitter, as before mentioned, must of course be loaded to apressure in excess of that required by either of the accumulators O and1?. Good results maybe obtained by dispensing with the accumulator O andconnecting the primary accumulator P.

directly with the valve 0; but the arrangement shown is, for variousreasons, preferred. The employment of accumulators is, for variousreasons, considered advisable; but either or all of the accumulators maybe dispensed with, and each one replaced by a force-pump having anoverflow or relief valve to secure the delivery of the fluid at thedesired pressure, pumps of this character being common and Wellunderstood by every person familiar with the art. This modifiedarrangement is represented in Fig; 6, in which 0 and P- represent theforce-pumps substituted in place of the accumulators represented in Fig.2, the system being in all other respects identical with thatillustratedtin thelast-mentioned figure.

' WVhen employed in the connection heretofore represented, theaccumulatorsare to be considered simply as a series of reservoirs ofliquid of certain pressures, or, in other words, as sources of high andlow pressure fluid-supply, and it is manifest that pumps communieatingwith suitably-loaded valves adapted to supply fluid at certain pressuresonly will be merely mechanical equivalents of the accumulators;

By the expression high pressure, as herein employed, is meant anypressure sufficient to operate the lifting-rams and load; and by theexpression low pressure is meant a pressure insufficient to accomplishthe above named object.

\Vhile in the accompanying drawings I have shown four lifting and.transmitting rams connected with one another, it is manifest that thenumber employed may be increased or decreased as circumstances mayrequire, a corresponding number of' intermediate connections andcheek-valves being in such case employed.

lVhile I have described the working-rams as lifting-rams, it will ofcourse be understood that-they may be arranged and applied to opcrate inany direction for any purpose required.

My apparatus may be employed for any and all purposes for which it maybe required to operate a series of rams in unison-as, for example, inoil-presses, in draw-bridges which act with a risingand-falling motion,and in car-elevators.

Having thus described-my invcntiomwhat I claim is- 1. In combinationwith two or more by draulic lifting-rams, a transmitter embracing acorresponding number of rams connected separately with the respectivelifting rams, accumulators or sources of fluid-supply, and means wherebycommunication may be established between said accumulators and thelifting-rams at or near the end of their move ment, substantially asdescribed.

2. In combination with a series of hydraulic lifting-rams,acorresponding number oftransmitting-rams arranged to move in unison andconnected separately with the respective lifting rams, the accumulatorsor equivalent sources of fluid-pressure supply, substantially asdescribed, and stop-valves located between the accumulators andlifting-rams and operated by the transmitter, substantially as describedand shown.

3. The combination of a series of lifting rams, a corresponding numberof transmitterrains moving in unison, and connected separately with therespective lifting-rams, accumulators or equivalent sources of supply, 0P, automatic valves connecting the same al= IIO 4 sauces ternately witha common chamber, and check valves, whereby communication may beestablished with the respective rams independently of each other.

4. In combination with the-series of liftingrams, the correspondingseries of simultaneously-moving transmitter-ran'ls, each con nectedseparately with the corresponding lifter-rams, the accumulators O P,chamber N, automatic valves 0 and p, and check-valves 0 (Z cf.

5. In combination with the valves 0 and 1) and the series ofcheck-valves, arranged to operate as described, the bar Q,rwhereby theopening of the checkwalves is effected.

6. In a system of hydraulic rams, the combination of a series oflifting-ramsa corresponding series of transmitter-rams, each connectedindependently with the corresponding lifter-rams, and intermediatemeans, substantially as described, for automatically supplying to therams fluid to replace that which may escape by leakage.

7. In combination with the series of lifterrams, the series ofsimultaneously-operating transmitter rams in individual connectiontherewith, the operating piston and cylinder H, the check-valves betweenthe transmitter and lifting rams, and the automatic valves 0 p,connecting with sources of pressure fluidsupply, substantially asdescribed.

8. The combination, with the lifting-rams, of the corresponding seriesof transmitterrams, the individual fluid conductors connecting the rams,substantially as described, the counterbalancing-weight V, applied tothe transmitter, check-valves applied to therespectivefluid-conductors,andautomaticvalves 0 and p, communicating,respectively, with sources of high and low pressure fluid-supply,substantially as described and shown.

9. In combination with a series of elevatorrams, eachhaving anindependent fluid-Suppl y by which it is actuated, an independentfluidsupply at a pressure greater than that required to actuate thelifter-rams, and automatic means, substantially as described, wherebysaid independent supply is placed in comstantially as described, thecylinder and piston H H, for operating the transmitter, thehiglrpressure accumulator K, connected with said cylinder, and areversible valve, L, located between the accumulator and transmitter,substantially as and for the purpose described.

12. In a hydraulic ram, the combination of a lifting or working ram, atransmitter-ram, a fluid-conducting pipe connecting the two, a branchpipe provided with a check-valve opening outward, and a high-pressurefluid-supply communicating with said check-valve on the opposite side,substantially as described,whereby the outward flow of fluid from theconduetor-pipe is prevented, but the inward flow from the high-pressuresupply permitted to replace loss from leakage.

13. In combination with ahydraulic ram, a conductor for supplying fluidthereto, a source of high-pressure supply to said conductor, a source oflow-pressure supply to said conductor, and automatically-operatingvalves, substantially as described, connecting said sources of supplyalternately with the con ductor, whereby the admission of fluid tosupply loss from leakage is permitted through the one valve or theescape of surplus fluid permitted through the other.

LOUIS SGHUTTE,

Witnesses:

Jonn D. YARROW, JAMES CLARK.

